Following the successful July launch of the innovative new technology in the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) and industrial hazardous waste water in South Africa, Finnish company EPSE has been granted funding by the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation for the business development and commercialization of its solution in South Africa and the African region. The company has also applied to the European Union H2020 funding program to secure further financial support for the research and development and business development activity for South African mine water treatment challenges. This young, innovative Nordic company is set to revolutionize the treatment of the persistent problem of contaminated water from mining companies in South Africa.

The management team has returned to SA to capitalise on further successful tests with AMD water from South African mines that verify and validate the EPSE technology solution. They are also pursuing discussions with several major international mining companies and technology providers for testing and piloting work in South Africa including integrating EPSE technology with other existing innovative mining water treatment solutions. Discussions with South African financial institutions are in progress on local funding opportunities.

With a local representative appointed, EPSE intends to establish a South African legal entity in the next few months bringing investment, expertise and new blood to tackle the clean water shortage problem exacerbated by mining and heavy industry.

EPSE solutions transforms the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) and industrial waste water by solving the serious problem of metal pollution in mining and heavy industry’s water. The end result produces purified clean water and valuable raw materials by permanently converting the soluble metals contained in hazardous waste into environmentally harmless insoluble metals that can then be used in production for several other applications and purposes.

Lasse Mussaka, CEO and Partner – Global EcoProcess Services Ltd.

EPSE CEO and partner Lasse Musakka said, “With drought conditions forecast to persist, this is a critical time for South Africa and other African countries which will continue to grapple with the problem of supplying enough clean potable water to their population. The estimated 48 billion Euros needed in investment over the next 10 years to modernize SA’s water and waste water infrastructure makes a cost effective recycling solution essential. Our technology can help towards a sustainable and better future for South Africa”.

The process is based on the patented EPSE chemical solution and adjustment of pH levels. Key advantages are low operational costs and low investment in infrastructure in a one step processing solution for hazardous waste water treatment with outstanding results, cost efficiency, purification of polluted water and extraction of metals.

Partner, Head of International Operations, and EPSE board member Felix Fondem said, “We are delighted to be back and very excited about bringing our solution to South Africa where the volume of waste water from just one mine can be as much as up to 300 000 m³/day. This makes the recycling of waste water critical. The one step EPSE solution is simple, fast, cost effective and irreversible and can really be a game changer in AMD”.

Unlike currently available technologies, the EPSE solution removes metals completely and the precipitate is inert and insoluble. Soluble precipitates of metals are a hazardous waste that must be stored in controlled landfill deposits creating an increasing environmental risk globally as well as high costs for mining and waste treatment companies. EPSE solution removes this need”.

Although primarily addressing the numerous metals in mining waste, it is also capable of substantially reducing concentrations of sulfates, alkali and partially alkaline earth metals which are a major concern where there is a need to recover water to a potable water quality level.

While the main focus is on South Africa, EPSE technology launch has generated a great amount of interest globally and is having success in other regions with successful tests with North American mining companies on AMD from American mines and more pilot projects are on the horizon.

EPSE top executive team will return to SA in February 2017 to take part in the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town and discussions are in progress with potential partners and companies from other African countries including Botswana and Ghana.